Syrian opposition suspends participation in Geneva II

Syria's main opposition group in exile Syrian National Coalition (SNC) said here on Monday that it suspends its participation in Geneva II conference due to UN's invitation to Iran.

The SNC spokesman Louay Safi said in the announcement that it suspends the participation unless UN rescinds its invitation to Iran or Iran accepts the Geneva I communique.

The Istanbul-based coalition, which decided on its participation on Saturday night, threatened to pull out the peace conference shortly after Iran was invited to participate in the meeting.

The UN chief said on Sunday that he had invited Iran to attend this week's Syria peace conference in Switzerland, also known as Geneva II.

"I have decided to issue some additional invitations to the one- day gathering in Montreux. They are Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Greece, the Holy See, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea and Iran," Ban said in the United Nations.